Klumpp and Mialon (2011) developed a model of the effects of hate in two-opponent situations. They found there are two outcomes: the stooping-down effect (becoming more aggressive in response to the hate) and turning the other cheek (becoming less aggressive in response to hate). Stooping-down is more successful for the stronger team and the weaker team is better off turning the other cheek.

Cause of anger becomes the focus of attention and leads to lack of concentration on the task at hand and deterioration in performance, which leads to loss of confidence in abilities and becomes a vicious cycle (Mackenzie, 1997).

Defeating Hate

How can LeBron and the Miami Heat prevent hate from impacting their performance this season? Our friendly Mental Health Counselor discussed the “Thought Stopping” technique and offered the insight listed below.

Positive emotions require more concentration to maintain but produce better performance, and positive emotions are more likely to lead to a “performance-relevant focus and automatic physical movements, both of which were beneficial for concentration and performance” (Fisher, 2010).

Theory of cognitive dissonance states when thoughts and behaviors are contradictory, people seek to resolve them by changing one or the other(Aronson, 2010). For example:

“I’m not a bad person, but I am being treated like a bad person.”

“Maybe I am a bad person?”

“I will become the bad person they say I am.”

Check out the HEATcast for more insight from an actual psychology student instead of the talking heads that play psychologists on television.

Disclaimer: Mrs. Platt is obligated to make the following statements:

She is not a licensed counselor yet, she just played one on the HEATcast